Mannetti heaps praises on Pinehas

By John Tuerijama
BRAVE Warriors national coach Ricardo Mannetti has heaped praises on Eleven Arrows Football Club (FC)’s striker Willem Pinehas, following the international friendly against Swaziland last month.
Mannetti expressed these sentiments this week when he announced the 24-player list call up in preparation for the annual Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup, scheduled for Limpopo, South Africa.
According to the head coach, Pinehas has proven during that game that he is a versatile player, and that he deserves another call up.
“The player, who mostly play on the wing for Eleven Arrows FC has the right work rate, and has the right attitude to be included,” Mannetti said.
Pinehas has scored 10 goals for his coastal club, Eleven Arrows FC, and has proven to be a deadly thorn in many defenders.
Mannetti added that Pinehas has the right work mentality and does fit in his plan.
Mannetti also brought in South African outfit Jomo Cosmos players Annanias Gebhardt and Danzil Haoseb to replace Hendrick Somaeb and Petrus Shitembi, respectively.
“Haoseb will give in depth in the centre back as well as in the midfield, and Gebhardt has the experience and the depth needed for the COSAFA Cup competition.”
Although Mannetti kicked off preparations for the COSAFA Cup on Monday, the eventual players making the trip to South Africa will be trimmed down to 20-players of which the official announcement will be made next week.
“We have arranged for friendly training matches while in South Africa but I must say I am a bit weary just like in Morocco. It is a risk when picking up injuries during training matches especially when one is faced with a cup competition.”
Namibia is pitted against arch-rival Zambia in the quarter finals of the competition, after having played to a one-all draw against Zambia during the African Nations Championships (CHAN) Finals held in Morocco early this year.
Speaking on the unwillingness of fans to accompany the team, Mannetti attributed the lack of support to fans having day jobs, and do not arrange for leave to accompany the team.
“It will be fantastic if we can have fans travelling because South Africa is just around the corner it is a knock out competition.” The regional flagship competition will have Madagascar taking on Mozambique on 27 May while Comoros is pitted against Seychelles on the opening day of the competition.
Players called are: RatandaMbazuvara (African Stars), Maximillian Mbaeva (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Edward Maova (Civics), Ferdinand Karongee (Tigers), VitapiPunyuNgaruka (Black Africa), Tiberius Lombard (Lusaka Dynamos), Donavan Kanjaa (Young African), Riaan Hanamub (Orlando Pirates), Charles Hambira (Tura Magic), Emilio Martin (Black Africa), IkuateruaHoveka (Young African), Dynamo Fredericks (Black Africa), Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars), Gustav Isaak (Tigers), WanguBabtstaGome (Platinum Stars), Marcel Papama (Unam), Absalom Imbondi (Tigers), Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park), Deon Hotto (Bloemfontein Celtic), PanduleniNekundi (African Stars) and ItamunuaKeimune